Q. This is a question I've been asking you for the last couple weeks. How are you feeling heading into this tournament?
BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: I'm actually excited. It's been a long time coming. Look, do I know I can finish out the week? Yeah. Do I know that I can contend? Yes. Do I know that I can finally enjoy golf again? Yes. That's a big step for me and my health and my mental state.
Things have changed a lot for me. I've learned so much about me as a person and my faith and whatnot through golf having stripped away from me. It's been a difficult time for me the past seven months not being able to play golf the way I really want to. It still is a little tough every once in a while in the hand to hit golf balls, but for the most part I can't tell you how excited I am to be back out here. I'm very excited.
Q. So you're pretty certain you're going to be able to play 72 holes?
BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: Yeah, I believe so. I'm glad I have next week off because I'm going to need that to really recover that hand and get it into a place where I feel like I can start playing golf week in and week out, but right now I'm able to have 190 ball speed consistently without really any pain and I've got control of the golf ball, I'm not forcing anything. I'm excited about that. I'm very, very happy.
Q. You mentioned that you feel as if you have a different perspective now than you did seven months ago. What do you think the greatest shift has been?
BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: Well, for me, it's been definitely pretty recent, but realizing that I can't put everything, all my marbles into one basket, which is golf. There's more to life than golf. It's been definitely eye-opening for me to have a close relationship with the Lord and just more importantly being happy with myself, too, and more importantly getting closer to him. For me that's something that's changed in my life that I'm very, very happy with, and I'm going to continue to fight, continue to be my absolute best out here on the golf course and hopefully inspire some kids along the way and do my due diligence like he wants me to.
Q. If you are able to complete 72 holes, which it sounds like you feel like you can do, what's a good week for you?
BRYSON DECHAMBEAU: I mean, a great week is obviously making the cut. I believe I can put myself in contention. I know this golf course really well. It's definitely a great opportunity to test my speed, as well, a little bit with the endurance. But knowing the golf course and being a past champion here, I think I can contend, as well, and hopefully do something pretty unique.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports